It All Falls Down

by M Dauphin

  This is my favorite part. Watching the image appear on the photo paper.

  Sometimes I get it wrong and it’s too dark or too light and I have to redo it, adding or taking away light, but sometimes the exposure is perfect the first time.

  This is one of those times.

  Jesus, it’s beautiful out there.

  I wish I could show Nora just how pretty this part of the country can be.

  Wow.

  And there I go being sappy. Shit.

  I spend an hour in that room, creating multiple images of each photo on that roll of film. It’s amazing how many different ways one picture can be manipulated, but that’s the joy of being able to do this.

  It’s like… it’s like playing God in a very small sense of the word. I’m creating something. Something maybe no one else ever has.

  And I love it.

  That’s what design is for me. The urge to make something new and exciting and eye catching. That’s why I’m so excited to get the photos of Nora and Ava up on the website and set up before they look at it next. It’s going to blow their mind. I love watching Nora’s reactions to something I’ve created.

  After I finish up in the darkroom and hang all the new images to dry, I head out to my phone. I haven’t thought about Canada in the last hour, but now with the three missed calls from Deig and a text from Nora, I’m thrown back to reality.

  I hit send and call Marcus, not bothering to check my messages.

  “What have you been doing?” he answers in a hushed tone.

  “Shit,” I mumble, heading to the balcony for a smoke.

  “I may have a problem, man,” he huffs. “I’m coming over.”

  He ends the call and I shake my head. In Deig’s world, we always have a problem. If we don’t have a problem then we have a problem.

  He walks in without knocking, earning a grunt from me when he storms out to the balcony.

  “She’s fucking nuts,” he blurts. I smile, because rarely does he ever get up in arms about a girl.

  “Who?” I take a drag of my cigarette and watch a pretty little red sports car go zipping away from the apartments.

  “Ava!” he cries. I nod, fully taking in what he’s telling me.

  “Was that her leaving?” I nod towards the red car.

  “Nah, she won’t come over. That’s our new neighbor’s car.”

  “Good. You need to clean. Is that your problem?”

  “She’s messing with me, man! We’ve been out on three dates but she won’t do more than just the date with me! What’s a guy gotta do to get a good fuck, man?!”

  “Something about these out of town girls that just don’t want to settle down with anyone,” I grunt, taking another drag. He groans next to me and leans down on the banister.

  “Still not getting anywhere with Nora?” He glances over at me before fixing his gaze on the street.

  I never told him what happened between Nora and I. Deig’s very observant. He saw right away there was an attraction between us and he’s been pushing for it ever since. Not once have I ever added my two cents in about the relationship between Nora and myself. I don’t have to. If I stay silent for long enough, Deig will always add his own input to it then go off on another tangent.

  “That’s a shame.” He shrugs. Called it. “It would have been cool, friends dating friends.”

  “You and Ava dating officially now?” I raise an eyebrow at him and he chuckles.

  “Nah. If I had my way we would be. One day we will, I can promise you that.”

  I nod and take a final drag of my cigarette before putting it out and sighing.

  “I have to go to Canada.”

  He shifts next to me and I feel his glare.

  “I thought you weren’t going to do Canada anymore?”

  “Never said that,” I grunt. “Just said not as much. But we’re low and need shit.”

  “You’re going to get caught one of these days, Max.”

  “Nah. I’m smart about it.”

  “How long?”

  “Only a couple days. The meeting is day after tomorrow so I should head up tomorrow.”

  “I’ll get the tickets bought.” He nods silently, mulling over the news. I never told him I didn’t want to make the runs anymore. We were talking one night and he mentioned maybe slowing down on it since the business was taking off and I agreed that it may need to happen one day.

  Not today.

  “I gotta get shit packed,” I huff.

  And I want to see Nora before I go… but I don’t tell him that.

  “Right. I’ll let you know what time the flight is tomorrow.” He pushes back from the banister and walks into the apartment, making a beeline for the door.

  Deig takes care of the money we need when it comes to the drug sales. He’s a numbers and money person so it works for us.

  I head to my room and throw the necessities in a suitcase, taking only minimal items to leave room for what’s needed to bring back.

  The airports have never once tagged me or held me back for questioning. The drugs all come with prescription labels printed here in the US, wrapped on the bottles in Canada and boom… no questions asked. It’s all too easy, really, and I guess I’m lucky they’ve never caught on but using different airports and switching around luggage and whatnot, I guess they would have no reason to. I’m not a threat to homeland security or any of that shit. Hell, without these I’d probably pose a threat to everyone in this town because the un-medicated moms would be running around destroying shit.

  As I zip my bag, I wonder what Nora’s doing right now. It’s nine on a Friday night. She should be out with her friends, but something’s telling me she’s at home. She doesn’t seem like the party type to me.

  I shoot a text to Deig asking about the morning flight and making sure he’s printing the labels for me, then hop in the truck and rev the engine.

  Fuck I love this truck.

  I pull into her apartment lot at almost half past nine, and kill the engine. I love this beast, but I also know it’s loud as hell and those trying to sleep right now probably don’t appreciate it.

  Hopping down, I see a light on in her apartment and smile to myself.

  I just want to see her. That’s all this is. I have no clue what I’m going to say to her; tried thinking of something the entire drive over here and nothing came up other than ‘I’m going to miss you’.

  Friends can say that, right?

  Fuck it.

  I knock on the door and shove my hands in my pockets, waiting for someone to answer.

  Ava pulls open the door, dressed like she’s ready to leave, and eyes me up and down before slowly smiling at me.

  “Hey,” she says.

  “Hi. You guys heading out?”

  “I was. Nora wants to stay here. Tried getting her to come with me for some good D, but she refuses.” She grins at me as she watches my eyes go wide, then leans in closer. “But now you’re here, so…” she trails off and raises her eyebrows.

  “Oh, that’s not… I’m just… we’re friends,” I stammer. I don’t know how much Ava knows. Why am I so nervous!?

  “Right.” She chuckles. “You just need to make the first move, Max,” she whispers, walking outside. “She never will.” She winks at me and turns back to the open door. “Nora, I’m heading out! Max is here!” she yells into the room, then looks at me. “Good luck.”

  With a shake of her ass she’s on the way to a waiting car in the parking lot. I stand there awkwardly, unsure if I should step inside or not, when Nora comes barreling around the corner.

  “Hi.” Her eyes go wide and her face pales as she realizes I’m really standing here. And there she is, in her boy shorts, long tank top, and hair in some side bun being held up with a pencil. A pencil!

  “Hey.” I grin. “Can I come in?”

  “Oh shit, yes. Sorry. Yea, come on in.”

  She’s flustered and I’m growing more and more attracted to her just standing here, watching the colo
r rise on her face.

  “What’s up?” she asks, nervously fidgeting with her hair, pulling at her shirt, and trying to look unbothered by the fact that she’s not wearing a bra.

  No fucking bra on and her tits are screaming for my attention. Her nipples harden when she realizes I’m standing here staring at her tits like they’re for dinner, but I can’t help it.

  Shit she’s beautiful.

  “I have to leave for a couple days,” I manage, doing my best to pull my eyes from her beautiful body. I meet those brilliant blue beauties of hers and my stomach drops. “You’re beautiful,” I whisper, letting the words fall out of my mouth without a care in the world. She closes her eyes slowly, taking a breath, then shakes her head.

  “Stop, Max,” she whispers, eyes closed.

  “I can’t. Have you seen yourself lately?” I take a cautious step towards her, but she holds her hand out, stopping me in place.

  With her hand resting on my abdomen she opens her eyes and pins me to my spot. How can someone’s eyes put me in a trance? This isn’t fair.

  “You’re leaving?” she whispers. “Where?”

  “Canada,” I blurt, praying she doesn’t ask why.

  “For what?” Of course.

  “Family,” I lie.

  I hate how easily the lies roll off my tongue with her. Whatever I’m doing with her is being built on a lie… but it’s the only way to build this.

  “When will you be back?”

  Her hand is still firmly planted on my abs, her eyes still locked with mine, and I see the lust swirling in them.

  “Tuesday. And I’ll have the site done for you by then.”

  Her jaw twitches, then her hand relaxes just enough for me to take the final step closer, putting us face to face.

  “Max,” she whispers, her breath smells minty. Like gum.

  “Nora?” I grin, resting my hands on the wall behind her, caging her in.

  “Friends, Max.”

  “Yes, friends, Nora,” I purr, resting my forehead on hers.

  I have no clue what the fuck I’m doing right now to be honest. I’ve never had these type of feelings for another person. Ever. I can fuck, hard. I can smooth talk women to get in their panties… but I don’t know what to do with these feelings inside of me right now. I’m sad I’m not going to see her for days. I’m happy she’s not out with her friends, finding a dick to ride tonight. I’m sad she’s not mine yet and she’s still with Nick. I’m annoyed I apparently am not good enough for her, or else she’d be breaking right now.

  And then, as Nora’s eyes flutter closed and she lets her body relax into mine, I remember what Ava just told me.

  ‘You just need to make the first move, Max. She never will.’

  I close my eyes, trying to push away the urge to press my lips to hers. I’m trying, I really am. She wants to be friends… I can fucking do that. I can do it perfectly and I have for the last goddamned month.

  But being this close to her for the first time since the hotel room in Chicago makes my dick strain for attention.

  Shit.

  I open my eyes, taking a breath and steeling myself to walk away from her, but when I slowly back away and her eyes flash open to meet mine, there’s no longer ‘worry’ that we’re supposed to be just friends.

  The only thing in those beautiful blue eyes right now is lust. Pure, carnal lust.

  And who am I to turn away from that?

  “Shit,” I growl, trying to pull my body from hers, but I don’t make it far before she lunges at me, limbs wrapping around me and lips smashing against mine.

  Fuck yes.

  She’s starved, frantic to taste and I’m right there with her, matching her need as I grab her ass in my hands, pulling her body against mine so she can feel just what she does to me.

  My tongue slides into her mouth and she moans, then I lift her as she wraps her legs around me. One fluid movement of her body grinding against mine and I’m about ready to finish in my fucking pants.

  “Fuck,” she huffs, letting her head fall to my shoulder as I move my lips to her neck. Fuck she tastes delicious. I grunt, walking back towards the wall and push her against it as I ravage her neck and grind into her.

  “Shit, Max.” She pants, her hands clutching onto my hair.

  I pull my head back and lock eyes with her, her hair messed and cheeks red with arousal.

  “We shouldn’t do this,” she whispers, starting to come down from the high and all I can do is grin. I fucking did it. I finally broke her resolve. And I want to keep doing it forever.

  “We already did, Nor.” I set her down gently, pulling her to me once more and pressing my lips to hers, reveling in her taste. “And we’re going to do it again.” I wink at her, watching her fingers come to her lips as I back away.

  “You’re leaving?” she says from behind her fingers.

  “Tuesday, Nora.” I spin and walk out to my truck, leaving the woman I so madly want to claim, standing in her dining room shocked and wet.

  Such an idiot.

  Holy shit.

  Holy shit!

  “Wow,” I whisper to absolutely no one.

  Because he just… left! He worked me up, and walked out! Who does that?!

  I think I just made a huge mistake, but it felt so good. So damn good.

  Too good.

  I huff and run my hands down my face, my clit throbbing still. Lady blue fucking balls right there. When I was wrapped around him I could feel his hard length and all I could think about was how good we were together all those months ago.

  I needed more… and he just walked away.

  Damn tease!

  He wants to play these games? I guess we’ve just barreled out of the friend zone faster than shit. Not that I’m complaining. Two can play this game, Mr. Holzer.

  I smirk, grabbing my phone and heading to the bedroom, closing the door behind me and cranking on the music.

  I pull out big pink from the drawer and suction it to the desk, then snap a pic and text it straight to him. No words or anything.

  It doesn’t take long for me to get a response.

  Max: I’m glad you still have that.

  Me: Me too. I’m in need of something tonight.

  Max: Oh yea?

  Me: No thanks to you. My pussy needs a little more attention than a little dry humping.

  Max: Friends don’t dry hump, princess.

  Me: I’m certain we blew out of the friend zone after what you just pulled, Mr. Holzer.

  I smirk, able to picture the grin on his face as he reads that last message. I know he’s been trying this last month, but he never tried like he did tonight. Tonight he showed me exactly what I’m missing.

  And shit it was good.

  Max: That so?

  Me: Yep. ;)

  I grab big pink, so aptly named, and head to the bed, slipping off my shorts before crawling up to my pillow.

  Max: Good.

  Me: Good. Excuse me now, I have to go put this thing to good use.

  Max: *groans* So jealous of that small piece of rubber.

  Me: Mmmm… you should be.

  I slide it inside of me and moan, letting my eyes flutter closed and my thoughts travel back to the hotel. He fucked me so good and if I could do it all over again I would take my time with his exquisite body. I’d lick each of his muscles, swirl my tongue around his nipples while he slides his fingers inside me. Shit.

  A text dings and I open my eyes and grab my phone with my free hand.

  Max: Show me

  I bite my lip, deciding if I could really do this. A sext picture? I’ve never done this before, but Ava is always telling me to throw more caution to the wind when it comes to Max.

  I angle the phone and snap a pic, making sure it’s erotic enough and not awkward before hitting send.

  Then I wait for the reply.

  Usually ‘me-time’ isn’t like this. Typically, I get in and get the job done with my vibrator I bought just a couple months ago. Waiting a
round for a guy to text me back after sending him a picture of myself masturbating has me more turned on than I’d like to admit.

  Max: Jesus fucking Christ that’s sexy, princess.

  I grin, practically able to hear the growl to his words. God, I love his voice when he’s turned on. Lifting my tank, I take one more picture of me pinching my nipple before attaching it to my message.

  Me: Tuesday, Maxwell.

  After I hit send I turn off my phone and finish the job I started. There’s something about leaving him hanging like he left me hanging that I really enjoy.

  Like I said. Two can play this game, Mr. Holzer.

  ***

  Monday morning I’m woken up by Ava, crawling in to bed with me.

  “What do you want?” I groan.

  “Snuggles. My night sucked,” she huffs, pulling me closer to her.

  “You wanna talk about it?” I mumble into my pillow. She went out three nights in a row, which isn’t like her. While I spent the weekend working and resting, enjoying my time alone and definitely NOT counting down the days until Tuesday. She was drinking and out with ‘friends’ when she wasn’t working.

  “No,” she growls. “I don’t.”

  She wraps her body around me, heating me under my already hot-as-hell blanket and that’s how we lie until the sun comes up.

  She does this every now and then so I’m used to the closeness. It also means there’s underlying issues with her she’s not talking about.

  At least this time I know what it’s probably about.

  Marcus Deiglemann. I’m certain that’s what all this is about. They’ve been on a few dates and she acts completely different around him than she has any other man in the past. I know not to push her for it; she’ll tell me when she’s ready.

  “You have fun with Max? I kind of forgot he came by,” she mumbles from under the blanket she’s pulled over her entire body.

  “Mmhmm,” I say, sighing.

  “What’s that mean?” she blurts, sitting up straight immediately and slapping me in the arm. “Did you or did you not have fun with him?”

  “I mean… yea. I guess.” I roll over and sit up, leaning back on the headboard. “He kissed me,” I whisper, picking at the blanket.